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And Trump said the meeting renewed Britain and America's "military, cultural, financial and political bond".

Opening their first press conference together, Trump said he was honoured to have May as his first foreign leader to visit.

He said: "I am honoured to have the Prime Minister here for our first official visit from a foreign leader.

"It is our first visit so a great honour.

"The special relationship between our two countries has been one of the great forces in visor for justice and for peace and by the way, my mother was born in Scotland - Stornoway, which is serious Scotland.

A bust of Winston Churchill sits between President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May as they poses for photographs in the Oval Office. Photo / AP

"Together America and the Kingdom are abrasion for prosperity and the rule of law."

May said: "I'm delighted to be able to congratulate you on what was a stunning election victory.

"As you say the invitation is an indication of the strength and importance of the special relationship that exists between our two countries - a relationship based on the bonds of history, of family, kinship and common interests.

"And in a further sign of the importance of that relationship I have today been able to convey Her Majesty the Queen's hope that President Trump and the first Lady would pay a state visit to the United Kingdom later this year and I'm delighted that the President has accepted that invitation."

Before the press conference, the pair bonded over a bust of Churchill - which Trump has moved into the famous Oval Office in a mark of respect to the wartime leader and the UK.

Pointing to the sculpture of Churchill at an earlier photo call, he said: "This is the original, in many ways, in many ways and it's a great honour to have Winston Churchill back.